• 122km Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road reconstruction flagged off
By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
“The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has dismissed claims that the Federal Government is abandoning existing roads to concentrate on constructing new ones, saying ongoing rehabilitation projects across the country belie such assertions.
“Umahi spoke on Tuesday in Kaduna during the flag-off of the reconstruction of the 122-kilometre Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road, where he also disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved a 50-kilometre internal light rail project for Kaduna State valued at $868 million.
Congratulating Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on the approval, Umahi described the project as a major milestone for the state.
“Governor, let me congratulate you a very big one. Internal light rail in Kaduna State has been approved by the President. It is a 50km light rail worth $868 million. This is a big one; you’re a goal getter.”
Responding to criticism that the Tinubu administration was focusing on new roads while neglecting existing ones, the minister cited several ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction projects across the country.
“People say that we are doing new roads and abandoning old roads. Is this 122km a new road? Is the Sokoto to Zamfara down to Funtua down to Zaria a new road? Is the Enugu to Onitsha, costing the President N350 billion, a new road? The road from Makurdi to 9th Mile, is it new? The Bodo-Bonny road, is it new? And the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road?” he asked.
“Umahi said the administration was using road infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth, improved security, agricultural development, commerce and education.
“When a road is built, it is a catalyst. It is a GDP that grows other GDPs. When a road is built, insecurity is minimised; there is an agricultural revolution.
“When a road is built, there is an increase in commerce and education, and that is what this Divine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing,” he said.
The minister said the 122km Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road was part of President Tinubu’s efforts to address economic challenges, insecurity, hunger and infrastructural deficits inherited by the administration.
“We are using this road infrastructure to fix the economic problems we met on ground; we are using road infrastructure to fight the insecurity we met on the ground; we are using road building to fight hunger we met on the ground,” Umahi said.
According to him, the road would significantly improve connectivity between Northern Nigeria and the southern part of the country, particularly Lagos.
“By doing this road, the President is shortening the distance between the North and Lagos.
This is the shortest route to Lagos State. Because by the time it gets to Birnin Gwari, it leads to Niger, then it connects Kwara, Osun, Oyo and Lagos. What more can we say? This is a very important road,” he added.
Umahi also pointed to the reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna Road as evidence of the administration’s impact on road infrastructure and security.
He recalled that travelling between Abuja and Kaduna was previously considered highly risky because of attacks, but said the situation had improved significantly since work commenced on the road.
“I was told that before now, it was a bad idea travelling from Abuja to Kaduna because of countless attacks, but it is now a thing of the past since the Abuja–Kaduna road project started,” he said.
The minister also called for constructive criticism of government policies, urging opponents of the administration to engage in democratic discourse without resorting to insults or misinformation.
“Democracy is by choice.The people criticising us should be constructive; it should not be insulting, deceitful or saying mundane things.
” I can testify that when you criticise us constructively, we have always gone to attend to such,” Umahi said.
Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani reaffirmed the President’s commitment to the people of Birnin Gwari and described the flag-off of the road reconstruction as evidence that the administration keeps its promises.
Sani recalled that before becoming President, Tinubu visited Birnin Gwari despite the severe security challenges in the area and promised to reconstruct the road and restore lasting peace to the community.
The governor commended the President for what he described as unprecedented commitment to Northern Nigeria.
“No President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has done what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for us here in Northern Nigeria,” Sani said.
He added: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done a lot for us. We thank him for the love for the North, for the love for humanity, for the love for progress.”
Also speaking, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, commended President Tinubu and the governors of the affected states for the gains recorded in the fight against insecurity.
The traditional ruler noted that the improved security situation had enabled farmers who were previously displaced by insecurity to return to their farms.
The flag-off of the 122km Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road reconstruction is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, improve movement of agricultural produce and stimulate economic activities along the corridor.
